As part of its monthly Salute series, NOD acknowledges companies who support the organization's mission by hiring people with disabilities and helping to support other employers who seek to do the same. Exelon, as part of its diversity and inclusion commitment, is an industry leader in incorporating people with disabilities into its workforce, partnering with organizations to recruit talented individuals with disabilities and veterans. Additionally, the company's Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team, comprising employees of all levels from across the company, and its disability-focused employee resource group promote an inclusive corporate culture.

"The approach Exelon has taken to incorporating people with disabilities into its workforce should serve as a model for all businesses in America," said Carol Glazer, president of NOD. "By creating awareness, regularly engaging with its employees, and stepping up to support NOD's mission of inclusion, Exelon is helping close the hiring gap between employers and people with disabilities."

In June, the Exelon Foundation, the company's nonprofit philanthropic arm, made a $300,000 pledge to support NOD's disability employment initiatives over the next three years. This grant supported the development of NOD's Disability Employment Tracker, an important new tool that will help companies across a range of industries assess their own readiness to launch or expand their hiring of people with disabilities and veterans. The funding also will go toward convening members of NOD's CEO Council, which offers business leaders support and resources for building a diversified workforce. The first such gathering took place on October 8th at the Pyramid Club in Philadelphia, featuring a discussion on the future of the labor force with panelists from DiversityInc, Lowe's, Walmart, and Sodexo. At the event, Exelon's Philadelphia utility, PECO, announced its own disability hiring commitment. PECO began working with NOD earlier this year through the organization's "Start on Success" student internship program, in which the utility hosted summer interns and hired some of them into permanent positions.

"Unemployment is a very real problem for Americans with disabilities and represents an opportunity for employers like Exelon that recognize that a diverse and inclusive workforce leads to smarter business decisions and a better understanding of how best to serve their customers," said Exelon Senior Vice President and General Counsel Darryl Bradford, who leads the company's Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team. "NOD is on the forefront of efforts to understand and solve disability employment issues, and Exelon is proud to count it as a valued partner."

"Exelon is well-deserving of this salute in our series," continued Glazer. "We're inspired by its commitment to people with disabilities, and we are honored to list Exelon among our most esteemed corporate partners."

For more information on the National Organization on Disability and its "Salutes" series, visit www.nod.org.